We’re a week away from college football’s transfer portal officially opening.
As the saying typically goes, the portal giveth and taketh away. Ohio State will likely be in search of some transfers at a few specific positions, but on Friday, we learned of one target that could be a priority for the Buckeyes.
Per The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman, Harvard's All-Ivy League defensive tackle Thor Griffith will enter the transfer portal and already has his eyes set on picking from one of two schools: Ohio State or Michigan. He’ll have one season of eligibility remaining.
Griffith was No. 8 on Feldman’s annual preseason The Freaks List, highlighting the top 101 players across the country with the most raw athletic ability. The 6-foot-2, 320-pound Griffith not only has an All-American name, but he runs a 4.95-second 40-yard dash and has bench-pressed 225 pounds 45 times. He also had a 4.57-second pro shuttle that would’ve been the second-quickest among all defensive tackles at the 2023 NFL Combine.
In his time at Harvard, he’s racked up 13.5 sacks and 132 tackles (33.5 for loss) in 30 career games.
On Monday, Griffith himself said he’s open to hearing from all schools and isn’t just limited to Michigan and Ohio State. Reading between the lines, it wouldn’t be surprising if those two schools were the front runners to land him, though.
My recruitment is 100% open. I am open to any all opportunities that come my way. Looking for the best fit.
— Thor Griffith (@thorgriff) November 27, 2023
Six Ohio State commits playing for an Ohio state championship
Six in-state Ohio State commits will have the opportunity to earn some hardware this weekend, as their teams have qualified for the state championship in their respective divisions.
What’s more, their matchups will be spread out across all three days of the state title games at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.
Playing in the first matchup will be three-star 2025 linebacker commit Eli Lee of Archbishop Hoban, who will face Massillon at 7 p.m. on Thursday for the Division II title. Two priority Ohio State targets in the 2026 class, offensive lineman Sam Greer and cornerback Elbert Hill, will also be playing in that contest alongside Lee.
Next, a few Ohio State commits will be facing each other for the Division I crown, as four-star cornerback Aaron Scott and Springfield will face twin brothers Deontae and Devontae Armstrong and St. Edward at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Ohio State may not have beaten Michigan on Saturday, but Scott led his team to a championship over future Michigan running back Jordan Marshall and Archbishop Moeller by throwing the game-winning touchdown pass in overtime.
Athlete. Wha dey gon say now https://t.co/wVoBHYWypg
— Aaron Scott JR (@AaronScottJr1) November 25, 2023
Finally, four-star cornerback Bryce West and four-star tight end Damarion Witten will be going for their second straight state championship as Glenville faces Kettering Archbishop Alter in the Division IV title game at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Jeremiah McClellan turns in stellar performance despite injury
If any of us had a broken foot, I expect the last thing we’d plan on doing is any sort of physical activity outside of the physical therapy needed to heal the injury.
Well, consider four-star Ohio State 2024 wide receiver commit Jeremiah McClellan a freak of nature, considering he turned in a dazzling performance in a state semifinal in Missouri while injured. Despite having a broken foot, McClellan caught 10 passes for close to 190 yards, ran for another 46 and scored three touchdowns in his team’s victory.
I dont think yall realize how special @jay_mac2481s performance was today.
— Clint Cosgrove (@Rivals_Clint) November 26, 2023
Had 10 for around 190 and 4 TDs. Sprinkled in like 60 rushing.
Btw he did it with a broken foot pic.twitter.com/AJO9kLaNJY
He’ll have the chance to help lead Christian Brothers College (St. Louis) to a state title on Saturday.
